The later season hints at the antagonist being more than that and possibly alludes to some interesting ideas that I won't spoil for other readers.

Yes, the protagonist is smug and intelligent but that's common in a lot of TV shows for a good reason. Would you watch Suits if the character is an inept lawyer? Or House if the doctor is a mediocre doctor doing routine checkups?

And besides, I'd say that most programmers do feel a bit smug in the same sense about your average person clueless about technology.